Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-09-09
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
,,,ors Rehearsing the Stirring
p'' ' Soones Through Which They
Passed.
,dotes of the Battle Field, the
ansV1 Campfire, and the Merry
March.
A Friend TO Reraenber.
ny SERGEANT ALEX. BLACKBURN

..,,o,f,,l battles, ind wonderful men,
pt Noi'.u'.1a have written again and again;
Cur Pg I'Sro sung of our marches, and sung OF
our tag, - .-,,+,, ord Como in nure
Encaking mucn III Puie - "si-' '.'N-
, pr,s in my humble, unrhythmical way,
F. sneak for u friend who nus noS hao MS
toreisner born. vet made suoJect 20 dfatt,
NO a;wavs brought cheer, yet never once
,oI laSSn BY rank, though private oft beat
him , .,,o,oh NINA offorad
r,,o was counted q friend to love and admire,
NJ never a foe could so quick draw our nre.
s+rorce os it seems, it will bear sayin
~ 5oenoan 40 oft felt the brave bayonet,
C.bnse rood loyal heart was true TO the core,
Ind still there was no one the oonnhieS io''o
\, o 1nYi Soldiers know well what this all is
nj recruits ,cris at our campfire may be in some
hi he plain in my speech from this word to the
am talking of coffee, the soldiers old friend.
!, camp 1t was coffee to keep off the blues,
And soften the hard tack tough as solos on our
orsr coffee we talked of the coming campaigns.
pf the Dattles "eu iousnO' 'no'' 'oooo' "iiu
rbe aroma 80 fragrant reminded Of home,
ND o,,r dreams were made sweet Of the peace
o,+ ~; mi nicket see two mon, bent on killing
Relent- as within they feel lack OF filling.
rbe Johnnie wants coffee, and would relish
While the Yank would give both for some
''' "blackleg, terbaccer;'
h he fixes his bayonet, for no other use
Tban to hold out his hat and call for truce;
Hello, Johnnie" he shouts till he hears
.Got terbaccer for coffee?' "Bet yer life," and
And then EN- these fierce mon. who would shoot
one another,
Trade tobacco and coffee, like sons of one
mother
Those cranky inventions the groceryman fills;
idon't understand the machines or their tricks,
But somehow pure coffee comes out q bad mix
The true cotfee-nlill is a battered tin cup
soldier to pound to the tune Yankee Doodle"
mill to make coffee, aud not to make Doodle.
On the march. when the veteran appeared in
his beauty,
With frying-pan greasy, and coffee pot sooty,
H1ag gracefully Der him on this sido and that,
He.hen was aesthetic from "gunboat" to hat.
Wen the bugle blow, halt a hint to get grub.
rub
Twas wondrous how quick those good cooks
spread the meal.
Not so dainty as some, but better q deal.
There was lack of French dishes, and sauces,
and jelly,
But hard tack was there with luscious-salt
pork.
AND coffee. black coffee, made strong, and well
done,
no drink on the holt. or to drink on the run.
jh the dreud day of battle when bravest were
tried,
When bullets struck down tho friends at our
side,
Then the veins drained of blood cried for water
at frat,
Ind the empty canteen mocked the terrible
thirst;
When the surgeon stepped back, his bloody
work done,
Ind said to the nurse, Bring the coffee right
on,
No drink of the gods, which from roses hearts
drips,
Eo sweet and refreshing to wound -parched
lips.
Ind many have felt, with my life at Obj tide,
Fad it not been for coffee sure would have
died."
Pc will praise without stint, whate'er helped
save tho nation,
But con never forget the good full coffee ration.